During its PAX East presentation, Gearbox Software unveiled the second Borderlands 3 DLC—Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright and Hammerlock. It seems safe to say that the marketing for this DLC was stealthy but seemingly self-evident now, as the Broken Hearts event recently ended with players striving for their Wedding Invitation sniper rifles. Nonetheless, new DLC aside, one of the biggest reveals in the trailer is that Gaige the Mechromancer is returning as a NPC.

It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t entirely surprising. Many did not expect it to be Gaige, but the idea that the old Vault Hunters would appear as NPCs in DLC is something that has been passed around the Borderlands 3 community for some time. However, the Borderlands 3 Spring 2020 Roadmap suggests that Gaige may not be the only one this time around. Just because the first DLC was restricted to one returning character, Timothy aka Jack’s Doppelganger, that doesn’t mean all DLC will be limited in this way.

Borderlands 3 Spring 2020 Roadmap

The Spring 2020 Roadmap outlines what players can expect throughout spring, including the aforementioned DLC, Mayhem Mode 2.0, the Revenge of the Cartels event, and the Guardian Takedown. The phrasing under Guns, Love, and Tentacles though is interesting, as not only does it mention a new Borderlands 3 planet, story, missions, legendaries, and cosmetics, it states, “fan favorite characters return.”

The plurality of characters here under Borderlands 3’s Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC is worth consideration. Notably, this could refer to Wainwright and Hammerlock, but the idea that this is their “return” doesn’t make a lot of sense, as they are featured heavily in the main Borderlands 3 campaign. It could also be referring to Gaige and Death Trap, but considering that Death Trap is an ability of hers, that doesn’t really seem likely. Therefore, this could mean that another Vault Hunter could appear alongside Gaige.

After all, this is a wedding, so it would stand to reason she would need a date. The pool of Vault Hunters who are not in Borderlands 3 is rather small as well, so it’s easy to determine that this extra character (if this is indeed implied) would be Krieg, Salvador, Axton, Athena, or perhaps Telltale’s Fiona. The latter’s fate is uncertain when it comes to Borderlands 3, but it’s worth taking a look at Krieg, Salvador, Athena, and Axton.

Athena has seemingly served her overall purpose in the Borderlands universe via The Pre-Sequel, and it’s worth mentioning that many think Krieg will be saved for last, per recent comments, just leaving Salvador and Axton. Furthermore, if this DLC or at least one of them doesn’t double down, then even ignoring Fiona and Athena would suggest that one or two wouldn’t get to appear.

The Case for Borderlands 2’s Axton

Of those vault hunters, Axton seems the most likely to appear in the forthcoming BL3 DLC. He’s the only one with a tangible connection to Gaige, as none of the vault hunters have more than a base Borderlands 2 connection to Hammerlock, Wainwright far less.

For those unaware, Gaige once had a crush on Hammerlock according to Mad Moxxi and the Wedding Day Massacre Headhunter Pack. It’s clear that this has likely faded, given her role in his wedding, but Hammerlock wasn’t the only candy in her eye. During a chat with Athena, Gaige reveals she has a close, perhaps even romantic, relationship with Axton, dubbing him an unparalleled stud. It doesn’t end there, either, as it’s worth adding that Gaige’s first line after using the Handsome Jack voice modulator is the same as Axton’s in Borderlands 2. Plus, they share dialogue in the holodome.

In other words, it makes sense that Axton could appear alongside Gaige, as her date and solidifying their relationship. Even if it were more of a father-daughter relationship due to the difference in age, it would make sense for Axton to accompany her to the wedding. Of course, it remains to be seen what the DLC entails and if there is any meaning to the plurality of characters in the Borderlands 3 roadmap.

Borderlands 3 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.